title: Uncovering the geroprotective potential of medicinal plants from the Judea region of Israel.
abstract: Plants growing in the Judea region are widely used in traditional medicine. This phytogeographic zone stands out in its climatic conditions and biodiversity. Consequently, both endemic and widely distributed Mediterranean plants growing in the area have unique chemotypes characterized by accumulation of relatively high levels of phytosteroids. Our comprehensive analysis revealed that many of the plants growing in the Judea region may hold a geroprotective potential. With this in mind, we undertook a wide screen of dozens of candidate herbal extracts for their cell protective, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. The results obtained thus far have clearly shown that the extracts tested (1) protect normal human fibroblasts from genotoxic stress (prevent DNA double-strand beaks, increase cell survival and reduce the number of cells undergoing cellular senescence), (2) decrease secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, (3) promote wound healing, and (4) exert more pronounced cytotoxicity toward cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: 1 The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Center for Multidisciplinary Research on Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer-Sheva, Israel .
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Budovsky
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shteinberg
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maor
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Duman
authors.forename: Hagai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yanai
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolfson
authors.forename: Vadim E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Fraifeld
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology; D005047:Etoposide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D052816:Foreskin / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D005047:Etoposide